Program that modifies directories

I am new to C++ and would like to know how to write a program that will modify directories and/or files, like DOS does. If you could, it would be of great help to actually instant message me and help me step by step but if you cannot it would be nice to just post something helpful.

(Don't bother flaming because I really do not care about your worthless opinion that will not affect my life in any way, shape or form. Thank you.)

You can build a function to have control in your program the way you can control a computer from the DOS prompt. Here is a simple example... Just be sure to add the header stdlib.h

void doDOS(char *command)
{
system(command);
}

then you can call it in your program like so......

doDOS(" ");

In the quotes" " type a command such as.....

doDOS("FORMAT A:"); for example... or

doDOS("CLS"); clear screen... or even

doDOS("MOVE C:\........ and so on.. Hope this helps

PS: If this is what you needed help with and can't figure it out just send me a message and I will help you out.

I am trying to get it to work right now. I get the following.

--------------------Configuration: mike1 - Win32 Debug--------------------
Compiling...
mike2.cpp
C:\mikeprogs\mike1\mike2.cpp(3) : warning C4518: 'void ' : storage-class or type specifier(s) unexpected here; ignored
C:\mikeprogs\mike1\mike2.cpp(3) : error C2146: syntax error : missing ';' before identifier 'doDOS'
C:\mikeprogs\mike1\mike2.cpp(3) : fatal error C1004: unexpected end of file found
Error executing cl.exe.

mike1.exe - 2 error(s), 1 warning(s)

The code is

Code:

---

#include <stdlib.h>
int main()
void doDOS(char *command)
{
system(command);
;}

;doDOS("FORMAT A:");
;}

---

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

>>>>>>>>>
#include <stdlib.h>
int main()
void doDOS(char *command)
{
system(command);
;}

;doDOS("FORMAT A:");
;}
>>>>>>>>>

You have a few errors... For one, you didn't include your standard I/O file for input/output.. before stdlib.h add this header-> iostream.h

You cant declare the function doDOS inside of main.. it must go outside main and you call it in main using the function name doDOS()... Also, in doDOS there is no need for a semi colon before the ending brace...

Next you need a brace pair for your function main { } The braces tell the compiler what is part of mains function body... and again no semi-colon before the call to the function doDOS or before mains ending brace... And before the last ending brace add the line... return 0;... here, try this....

#include <iostream.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

void doDOS(char *command)
{
system(command);
}

int main( )
{
doDOS("FORMAT A:");
return 0;
}

be sure to take out any disks in drive A :-)

Thanks again. =)

I typed in EXACTLY what you told me to and got this (whew this is quite the trial and error, sorry I'm so dumb)

--------------------Configuration: mike1 - Win32 Debug--------------------
Linking...
LIBCD.lib(wincrt0.obj) : error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol _WinMain@16
Debug/mike1.exe : fatal error LNK1120: 1 unresolved externals
Error executing link.exe.

mike1.exe - 2 error(s), 0 warning(s)

Please post exaclty what you wrote in your source code.

Ok.

Code:

---

#include <iostream.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

void doDOS(char *command)
{
system(command);
}

int main( )
{
doDOS("FORMAT A:");
return 0;
}

---

The code is correct and should compile fine. stdlib.h is last time I heard part of the standard library so your compiler should support this. I know this question may seem simple but since you said you just started programming I want to make sure.. When you saved your source code before compiling did you give the name the ext .cpp? As in filename.cpp.... then compiled it to make the exe? what compiler are you using?

It compiles fine. I get the 2 errors when building it and attempting to execute it.

The compiler I am using is Microsoft Visual C++.

You are compiling it as a Windows GUI program not a Windows Console App. GUI programs use winmain() in place of main().

*** EDIT ***

What do you actually want to do? system() is a bodge at best, there is always a better way to do things.

Ok, I got it to work.
But in terms of commands how exactly would you make a delete directory command?

I tryed
"DEL C:\...."
but it didn't work.

What should I type?

I would use the RemoveDirectory() API function.

Not recognized as a command.

Wait, I used DEL.

I typed

"DEL C:\FTPROOT"

And it said..
Could not find "C:\mikeprogs\prog4\FTPROOT"

Why is it putting mikeprogs\prog4 in front of it? How can I prevent this?

You didn't try to enter that in your system() program did you?

Forget system() as I said before, it is a crude bodge, (there are a list of reasons why you should not use it in the FAQ). You use RemoveDirectory instead of system()! You have VC, open the help and look up the routine there.

Yeah but, why is it putting that? All I need is to erase that and I basically accomplished what I set out to do.

DEL *.*

This will delete all files in the current directory, be careful what you delete.

So type "DEL *C:\FTPROOT*

and if you are putting delete commands inside system remember you need 2 backslashes....

doDOS("DEL C:\\and so on...